title: Comparison of the serum iron, ferritin levels and total iron-binding capacity between pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder during pregnancy. GDM causes substantial morbidity and mortality and long- term complications. GDM-related risk factors have not been completely identified yet. Some studies have found relationship between increased serum ferritin and impaired oral glucose tolerance test but the relationship between serum ferritin and risk of GDM has been controversial. The aim of the study was to determine serum iron and ferritin levels and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) in women with GDM and comparison with normal pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case-control study was performed among 200 pregnant women (case = 100, control = 100) who were referred to Yahya-Nejad Hospital in the second trimester in Babol from 2008 to 2009. GDM was diagnosed by impaired OGTT based on Carpenter and Coustan criteria. The 2 groups were matched in age, gestational age and parity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High serum ferritin level increased the risk of gestational diabetes to 2.4-fold [OR = 2.4 (0.83-6.9) CI = 95% (P = 0.10)], while in those with low ferritin levels, the risk of developing gestational diabetes was reduced to 82% [OR = 0.8 with (0.08-0.37) CI = 95% (P = 0.001)]. Using the logistic regression model, after adjustment for BMI, the OR was 2.37 [(0.80-7.01) CI = 95% (P = 0.11)] for low ferritin level and OR = 0.20 [(0.09-0.44) CI = 95% (P = 0.0001)] for high ferritin level, which was statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The serum ferritin level was markedly higher in women with gestational diabetes than in normal pregnant women; therefore, high ferritin can be regarded as a significant risk factor for the development of gestational diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh Nasiri
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Amiri
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Basirat
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Omidvar
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharbatdaran
authors.forename: Karimollah Hajian
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Tilaki
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pouramir
keywords: Ferritin; gestational diabetes mellitus; serum iron; total iron binding capacity